The only thing I could do was leave.

Danika got our old asses into an exclusive club and other than the stiff drinks, nothing else was of interest. Shit, I couldn't tell the guys from the girls most of the time, nor did it seem like they cared. Either way the entire event was a quick reminder that she and I were too old to party troubles away. My friend meant well, but the entire evening was a bust.

I rejoined the gym. And though I hated getting up early, the predawn workouts relieved me of some frustrations, especially the carnal ones. I ran harder, longer, faster each morning, missing my husband even if I was still pissed by the accusation that I avoided making love to him on a regular basis. Maybe he wanted it more than me, but that didn't mean there wasn't a need to be met on my end.

Long office days, emotional breakdowns related to these crazy ass hormones after losing three pregnancies and the dread of hitting that geriatric maternal window had me up in arms for a while now. But, I did my best to make up in quality what I apparently lacked in quantity and gave Zy everything his heart desired.

Hell, that's why our insurance payments are astronomical. He wrecked two cars in as many months because I couldn't keep my face from between his legs. Day, night, office, park, restaurant, department store, even the farmer's market got the business when it came to me pleasing the man I love. And to think, none of that has been enough because he thinks something's wrong... with me.

Out of options, tears and fucks to give, I booked a flight. Hot weather weather and sandy shores beckoned me. And even if it was just for an extended weekend, I needed to heed the call. Focused on getting to my seat and resting my weary eyes, I donned my sunglasses while making a b-line to my row in first class. The moment I sat down and began to relax, someone stood beside me.

"Good morning, what can I get started for you today?"

Without looking up, I replied, "Is it too early for a Painkiller?"

I ignored the chuckle while scrolling through my messages.

"How about a nice Pinot instead."

"Sure, thanks."

Focused on Zy's texts, I only took the time to acknowledge his presence when the baritone voice  faded away. Annoyed with my husband's determination to make me out to be the villain in the scenario he created, I tossed the phone into my purse before leaning back to focus on the workers on the tarmac.

"Ma'am."

I turned my head away from the window, only to make contact with the deepest hazel eyes I had ever seen on a Black man, and I mean Black. My gaze skated around his smooth skin, cascading over dimples, full lips and a smile that drew me in like a moth to a flame. As I reached for the drink, my hand knocked over my purse, spilling its contents onto the floor between the seats. He grinned as he knelt down to pick up everything from my boarding pass to tampons. And there I sat, in a stupor too enthralled by his presence to be disturbed.

He stood, then asked, "Is there anything else you need to get comfortable?"

"No, I don't think so. And thanks for the wine."

"My pleasure, Mrs. Reeves. I'll check back with you during the flight."

I'd be damned if I wasn't blushing. It  didn't matter that he read my name on my boarding pass. How he said it got me all jittery inside. The way I wanted to take advantage of his mother's son, I most definitely needed this getaway.

Jet lag set in not long after we landed, and the quick nap I envisioned carried me close to ten o'clock before I regained consciousness. The warm breeze fanning sheer white curtains across my body tickled my skin as I rose from the comfortable, king bed. The salty ocean aromatized my room beckoning me towards island music and crashing waves resonating outside my door. After ordering food and drinks, I took up space at the end of the pier, lifting my cares to the evening wind.

"Hello again, Mrs. Reeves."

'Hazel eyes'  appeared out of nowhere just as fine in shorts and a tank as he was in uniform, making me grateful for the breeze, though stuffy, providing relief from my rising body temperature. It had to be illegal to be so flustered by one individual. Inside, I became a wreck. Outwardly maintaining my composure, I replied. "Hey, I'm sorry I didn't catch your name earlier."

"It's Dante."

Upon closer inspection, he was every bit of twenty-ish. Damn.

"Hi, Dante. And please, call me Candi."

His smile opened an invitation for him to join me.

"Candi, a beautiful name for an equally beautiful young woman."

There go my cheeks again.

"I'm hardly young, but beautiful... yes. Yes, I am."

The laughter between us flowed as effortlessly as the tide. Nervous about the vibe, I ordered another drink. Dante did the same, then sat back staring into my damn soul. This little boy better stop playing with me.

"What brings you to our little piece of heaven and alone no less?"

His gaze pandered towards my wedding band, causing me to spin it.

"Sometimes a girl just needs to get away, and if being here brings me closer to God, then it's worth it."

His eyes studied me so intensely I fidgeted with skittish energy. Zy hadn't focused on me like this in a long time.  And honestly, regardless of the source, it felt good to be seen.

Growing comfortable, I inquired, "So, you're a native."

"Yes, have been for generations. Most of my youth, I thought I wanted to leave, but that dream was short lived. I love what's out there, but there's nothing better than the familiarity of home. As a flight attendant, I get the best of both worlds."

So he's insightful and fine. Nice combo.

He returned the life inquiry. "What keeps you busy when you're not pondering life?"

"Besides my husband?" I stopped twisting my ring. "I'm the marketing director for my family's business."

"Ahh, a corporate woman. We see plenty of you here."

Chuckling, I asked. "Is that a good or bad thing?"

"Depends on who's asking or answering that question. From my perspective, it's always nice to get to know different people, especially when they yearn to be themselves instead of who their careers say they should be."

"My career isn't confusing my self image, my marriage is."

"We see plenty of those situations too."

"Who is this we you keep speaking of?"

Dante laughed, then answered, "Friends, family mostly, but also people like my mans over there who owns this bar."

My companion raised his glass to toast the owner who then proceeded to ruin our livers' with drink after drink, on the house, for the remainder of the evening. It took me a minute to escape the alcohol induced nirvana and find my sensibility again, as Dante, poor Dante, escorted me back to my villa. At the door, he leaned over my shoulder to assist me with key fob. He smelled like how a mind blowing orgasm felt. 

Lifting me over the threshold, he carried me into the primary suite and laid me onto the bed. Liquor and horniness forced me to pull him down as he lifted himself upwards. With his face inches from mine, he grinned just before I closed my eyes and puckered my lips.

Nothing happened.

When I squinted with one eye, he pecked the top of my forehead, then pulled away from my grasp. There's not enough free booze in the world to make me forget that ever happened.

Wishing myself a swift death, I covered my face with both hands, then rolled away from the source of my embarrassment. The warmth of his touch on my shoulder provided little comfort, neither did the words that followed.

"Candi, you're amazing, gorgeous and sexy as hell, but I'm not into older women. I apologize if I gave you the wrong impression."

Nope, that was all me. And I would never forgive myself for misjudging the kindness of a stranger. Dante eased around the bed to face me. He was being super sweet about the entire ordeal, but I still wanted to die.

"Let's chalk this up to good drinks and even better company. No harm, no foul." He gently lifted my chin as he smiled, then asked, "Oaky?"

"Sure," I muttered through my shame.

"Great, and to prove how insignificant this all is, how about you hang out with me and a few of my folks tomorrow night. That is, if you don't have other plans."

Alone on an island, embarrassed as hell, extremely horny and overly stressed, I didn't have a plan in the world.

"How about I let you know after a little rest and hydration."

"Sure thing."

He winked, grabbed my phone, tapped a few times, then blessed me with another obviously innocent kiss, this time on the cheek.

"Good night, sweet Candi. And before you go, I hope you find what you're searching for."

"Me too, Dante," I muttered as he walked away. "Me too."